Evaluation of a Shoulder Fragmentation Protection Brassard Design

Abstract : A fit and confirmatory design trial was conducted at Canadian Forces Base Petawawa May 28 to June 1 2007 to evaluate the differences between the current shoulder cap and brassard shoulder fragmentation protection designs. Twenty-five regular force personnel from 3rd Royal Canadian Regiment and 2nd Field Ambulance were required to undertake a battery of human factors tests while wearing the current shoulder cap and brassard conditions in a balanced, repeated measures design. A progressive four-day testing protocol was used, from static anthropometric measurements, to live fire, to dynamic discrete military activities tests, and finally a dynamic military battle task tests. Evaluations included live fire range, obstacle course, mounted fighting task, dismounted fire and movement, FIBUA, and compatibility testing. Participants rated the designs in terms of manoeuvrability, ease, stability, compatibility, and comfort. Data collection included live fire target performance, acceptability ratings after each task, thermal discomfort ratings, physical discomfort ratings, fit sizing ratings, exit questionnaire acceptability ratings, and guided focus group discussions. Overall, no highly meaningful significant differences between the two conditions were seen in target engagement performance, compatibility, or task acceptability ratings for different tasks carried out in this trial. It is recommended that brassard should be implemented for improved shoulder fragmentation protection. Design improvements to the brassard design are discussed in the report.